US3581815A - Underwater connector with retrievable sealed electrical assembly - Google Patents

Underwater connector with retrievable sealed electrical assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3581815A
US3581815A US799735A US3581815DA US3581815A US 3581815 A US3581815 A US 3581815A US 799735 A US799735 A US 799735A US 3581815D A US3581815D A US 3581815DA US 3581815 A US3581815 A US 3581815A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
combination
control assembly
coil
response
underwater
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US799735A
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English (en)
Inventor
Fernando Murman
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Hydril LLC
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Hydril LLC
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Publication date
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
    • E21B33/0355—Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads

Definitions

  • the method involves the steps of providing at the underwater stack a projecting valve-actuating element capable of being displaced in response to magnetic force application thereto, displacement of that element acting to control the valve for controlling pressure application to the valve; lowering to the actuating element a sealed element which is electrically energizable to cooperate magnetically with the actuating element; and transmitting electrical current to the electrically energizable element to energize it to effect displacement of the valve actuating element.
  • the lowering step may include such mechanical intercoupling of the elements as obviates need for electrical terminal interconnection and the disadvantages of the latter at underwater locations.
  • the electrically energizable element may be retrieved to the surface so as not to remain exposed to the sea water, whereby reliability and life of the equipment is substan tially enhanced due to minimum exposure of the electrical unit to the sea water, that unit also being sealed for further reliability.
  • the invention basically comprises, in combination:
  • a fluid pressure control assembly adapted to be presented underwater and in such relation to the stack as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application;
  • an operating assembly including a sealed electrically energizable element adapted to be lowered under water into operative proximity to the control assembly;
  • At least one of the assemblies including structure adapted to be displaced in response to energization of the element for actuating the control assembly.
  • the electrically energizable element may comprise a solenoid coil
  • the referred to structure may comprise part adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to coil energiiation.
  • the part is typically carried by the control assembly which also includes a valve element operated by the part.
  • the part may comprise a plunger and in addition, there may be advantageously included a guide socket carried by the operating assembly and presented to receive relative penetration of the control assembly whereby the plunger may be guided into the coil.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation showing a stack of well-servicing tools at a submarine well head location, together with apparatus permanently and detachably connected with the stack for controlling operation of the stack actuators;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section showing details of pressure control and operating assemblies embodying the invention, and in disconnected condition;
  • FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing the assemblies in connected condition
  • FIG. 4 is a view of the surface equipment for lowering and elevating the stack and easing or tubing and the control assembly.
  • FIGS. 5-7 show other forms of valve-actuating parts.
  • FIG. I a drill hole 10 sunk beneath the ocean floor 11 contains a string of casing 12 cemented or otherwise fixed in position for further suitable drilling or producing operations. Drill pipe or tubing is shown at 13 extending downwardly through the casing string.
  • the submarine wellhead equipment includes a lower connector unit 14 releasably fastened onto the casing stub 15 projecting upwardly.
  • unit 14 In sequence above unit 14 are double master gate 16, blowout preventer 17, a pressure-distributing control unit 18, and another connector 19, intermediate tubular stubs or extensions being indicated at 20, 21, 22 and 23.
  • the connectors l4 and 19 are releasably attached to stubs l5 and 23 respectively, and may be of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,962,096 to Knox; the unit 18 may comprise suitable manifolding; for distributing pressure to the various actuators; and the blowout preventer 17 may be of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,609,836 to Knox.
  • Fluid pressure is transmitted from an underwater supply source inthe form of pressure vessels 24 and 25 to the unit 18 via lines 26 and 27; and pressure is controllably transmitted from unit 18 to the connector 14 via lines 28, to the master gate 16 via lines 29 and to the preventer 17 via lines 30. Fluid pressure is supplied from the surface source 31 seen in FIG. 4
  • the numeral 33 designates the base of a frame for the wellhead equipment stack, the frame also including guide lines 34 attached to the base and transverse members 35 and 36 respectively attached to the lower connector 14 and the top of unit 19, said members interconnecting the guide line at vertically spaced locations.
  • the guide lines 34 extend to the surface, and the members 35 and 36 have slidable connection therewith at 37 and 38 for guiding the connectors downwardly into position as shown. if the connector 14 is released from the stub 15, it and the equipment thereabove may be elevated to the surface as the casing 39 in the string or stack is run upwardly.
  • the connector 19 is released from the stub 23, it and the casing 39 may be elevated as the casing 39 is run upwardly, leaving the equipment in the stack therebelow at the wellhead, as for example when the well is shut-in.
  • the casing is run downwardly or upwardly by adding or subtracting casing lengths at the surface, by suitable means generally indicated at 40 in FIG. 4 and on platform or vessel 41.
  • a fluid pressure control assembly 50 presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application, as via unit 18, to the wellhead equipment (such as the preventer, gate, connector, etc.). Also shown is an operating assembly 51 including a sealed electrically energizable element (as for example solenoid coil annulus or annuli 51a) adapted to be lowered underwater (as by cable 52) into operative proximity to the control assembly 50.
  • a sealed electrically energizable element as for example solenoid coil annulus or annuli 51a
  • At least one of these assemblies also includes structure adapted to be displaced in response to energization of the element 51a for actuating the control assembly.
  • structure may for example comprise a part such as a plunger (or plungers) 53 which extends within the magnetic field the coil or coils 51a when the assemblies 50 and 51 extend in operative proximity as in FIG. 3.
  • plungers 53 are carried by assembly 50 to project upward for initial reception partly into the coils 51a in response to relative movement of the assemblies into operative proximity.
  • plunger 53 Upon energization of coil 51a plunger 53 will be more fully drawn into the coil by magnetic pull, as seen at 53a in FIG. 3.
  • the control assembly also includes a valve element or elements 54 having operative connection with the plunger or plungers so that the valve elements may be shifted in response to plunger displacement.
  • Housings 55 contain the valve ele ments and are supported on base structure 56 mounted on the stack. Note the ports 57 and 58 in the .valve housings through which pressure fluid flow is controlled, such flow passing via lines 59 and 60 from and to unit 18 for distribution to the wellhead equipment, the pressure originating at a vessel 24.
  • Plate structure 61 extends at the upper ends of the housings, and is connected to the housings, to seat the lower plate 62 of unit 51 in FIG. 3 position.
  • Plungers 53 project upwardly through openings 63 in plate 61, and through openings 64 in plate 62.
  • tubular protectors 90 closely receiving the plungers and mounted in plate 61 to prevent sea water access to the plungers.
  • Coils 51a are sealed out of communication with the exterior, as by means of the resinous bodies 65 and 165 (forming recesses 66 receiving the coils) and the plate structure 62 capping the undersides of the bodies 165.
  • tubular metal sleeves 67 integral with plate 62 and received into the coils and sized for receiving the protectors 90, the sleeves being closed at 68.
  • a further feature of the invention has to do with the provision of guide structure presented to guide the plunger or plungers relatively into the coil or coils in response to underwater lowering of the operating assembly 51 into operative proximity to the control assembly.
  • Such structure may typically include a socket 70 carried by the assembly 51 and presented to receive relative upward penetration of the control assembly.
  • the socket is shown to include a tubular portion 71 and a flared portion 72 operable to guide the assembly 50 upwardly into tubular portion 71 wherein it is centered so that the plungers will align with the coils.
  • Such alignment about the vertical axis 74 becomes assured by virtue of the tongue and groove elements 75 and 76 on the assemblies and located to interfit during the relative penetration.
  • the widened mouth 76a of the slot or groove 76 which loosely receives the tongue or rod 75 and acts to guide it into the guide extent 76b of the slot, for precise alignment.
  • Slot 76! also serves as a water outlet on makeup.
  • the method of the invention involves the steps of providing at the stack a projecting valve-actuating element (as for example plunger 53) capable of being displaced in response to magnetic force application thereto, displacement of that element acting to control the valve 54 for controlling pressure application to the apparatus; lowering to the element a sealed element (such as coil 51a) which is electrically energizable to couple and cooperate magnetically with the actuating element; and transmitting electrical current to the element 51a to energize it and effect displacement of the valve actuating element 53.
  • Such current transmission may be effected via lines or cables 80 running to the surface along the lowering cable 52 seen in FIG. 3.
  • the element 51a may be upwardly retrieved for removal from the sea during times when shifting of the positions of the underwater tools is not desired.
  • the various valves 54 may be paired in association with the various underwater tools, in such manner that operation of one valve of a pair shifts a tool piston in one direction, and operation of another valve of a pair shifts the tool piston in the opposite direction.
  • Surface retrieval equipment is indicated at 40 in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a form of this invention wherein this valveactuating part, which is magnetically displaced in response to coil energization, is carried for linear displacement while remaining out of penetrating relation with the coil.
  • part comprises a plate 101 (as for example iron) on a central stem 102 connected at 103 to the valve (not shown).
  • a housing 104 for that part 100 includes a body 105 in which the stem is guided at 106 for linear movement, and a nonmetallic panel 107 sealing the cavity 108 in which plate 101 is received.
  • Operating assembly 109 including coil 110 is shown in operative proximity to the part 100 in the control assembly. Otherwise, the apparatus may be as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
  • the operating assembly includes solenoid coils and 116 about pole pieces 117 and 118 which, for example may form north and south poles respectively, at a given instant.
  • a valve-actuating part 119 Spaced from the pole pieces is a valve-actuating part 119 including a plate 120 constructed to rotate when the coils are energized.
  • a housing 121 carries the part 119 for rotation, as shown, and for protection against sea water contamination.
  • FIG. 7 shows an operating assembly 122 having a coil 123, forming a bore 124 into which a protective sleeve 125 is received.
  • Coil 123 may cooperate with suitable laminations and bars (identified at 126) to define a motor stator providing a rotating magnetic field when the coil is energized with alternating current.
  • the valve-actuating part here includes a motor rotor 127 in the fluid pressure control as sembly 128, the rotor being relatively receivable into the sleeve 125 when the assemblies 122 and 128 are brought into operating proximity.
  • a connection to the rotor is shown at 130, for suitably rotating the underwater valve (not shown).
  • a protector 131 extends about the projecting rotor, to protect it from contamination by sea water.
  • a fluid pressure control assembly to be presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application
  • a cable and an operating assembly including a sealed electrically energizable coil element supported by the cable to be lowered underwater into operative proximity to said control assembly
  • At least one of said assemblies including structure adapted to be displaced in response to energization of said element for actuating said control assembly; said assemblies extending in operative proximity with one another and being relatively shiftable into and out of operative proximity in response to vertical displacement of the cable.
  • control assembly includes a valve element having operative connection with said part.
  • control assembly adapted to be presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application
  • a cable and an operating assembly including at least two sealed solenoid coils supported by the cable to be lowered into operative proximity to said control assembly
  • At least one of said assemblies including at least two parts
  • control assembly includes valve elements having operative connection with said plungers.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
US799735A 1969-02-17 1969-02-17 Underwater connector with retrievable sealed electrical assembly Expired - Lifetime US3581815A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US79973569A 1969-02-17 1969-02-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3581815A true US3581815A (en) 1971-06-01

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US799735A Expired - Lifetime US3581815A (en) 1969-02-17 1969-02-17 Underwater connector with retrievable sealed electrical assembly

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3581815A (nl)
JP (1) JPS505641B1 (nl)
BE (1) BE745996A (nl)
DE (1) DE2007211B2 (nl)
FR (1) FR2031477B1 (nl)
GB (1) GB1252235A (nl)
NL (1) NL160905C (nl)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3946805A (en) * 1974-04-08 1976-03-30 Hydril Company Underwater connections at well head locations
EP0627544A2 (en) * 1993-06-04 1994-12-07 Cooper Cameron Corporation Control module for subsea valve actuation
US20120160509A1 (en) * 2010-06-25 2012-06-28 Mjb Of Mississippi, Inc. Apparatus and method for isolating and securing an underwater oil wellhead and blowout preventer

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2198766B (en) * 1986-12-20 1990-12-05 K E International Limited Electrically controlled valves

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3011753A (en) * 1960-07-08 1961-12-05 Airmatic Valve Inc Flow control valve
US3098635A (en) * 1960-03-14 1963-07-23 Delaporte Louis Adolphe Electromagnetic valves
US3199595A (en) * 1961-12-28 1965-08-10 Shell Oil Co Secondary control system for underwater wells
US3480040A (en) * 1965-10-20 1969-11-25 Dole Valve Co Single-inlet,double outlet valve

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3098635A (en) * 1960-03-14 1963-07-23 Delaporte Louis Adolphe Electromagnetic valves
US3011753A (en) * 1960-07-08 1961-12-05 Airmatic Valve Inc Flow control valve
US3199595A (en) * 1961-12-28 1965-08-10 Shell Oil Co Secondary control system for underwater wells
US3480040A (en) * 1965-10-20 1969-11-25 Dole Valve Co Single-inlet,double outlet valve

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3946805A (en) * 1974-04-08 1976-03-30 Hydril Company Underwater connections at well head locations
EP0627544A2 (en) * 1993-06-04 1994-12-07 Cooper Cameron Corporation Control module for subsea valve actuation
EP0627544A3 (en) * 1993-06-04 1995-07-19 Cooper Ind Inc Control unit for actuating underwater valves.
US20120160509A1 (en) * 2010-06-25 2012-06-28 Mjb Of Mississippi, Inc. Apparatus and method for isolating and securing an underwater oil wellhead and blowout preventer
US8887812B2 (en) * 2010-06-25 2014-11-18 Safestack Technology L.L.C. Apparatus and method for isolating and securing an underwater oil wellhead and blowout preventer
US9650874B2 (en) 2010-06-25 2017-05-16 Safestack Technology L.L.C. Apparatus and method for isolating and securing an underwater oil wellhead and blowout preventer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2031477A1 (nl) 1970-11-20
BE745996A (fr) 1970-08-13
DE2007211B2 (de) 1972-04-20
JPS505641B1 (nl) 1975-03-06
NL160905B (nl) 1979-07-16
GB1252235A (nl) 1971-11-03
NL7002219A (nl) 1970-08-19
FR2031477B1 (nl) 1973-03-16
NL160905C (nl) 1979-12-17
DE2007211A1 (nl) 1970-09-03

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